Chapter Twelve

"Nick?" My mother's voice drew me out of my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. My head was pounding and I blinked to keep the harsh sunlight from aggravating the throbbing headache.

My parents and little brother had flown in soon after my last fight with Miley and I was somewhat thankful for the distraction although my mother, being herself, couldn't help but fuss and worry every time she saw the bags under my eyes and my dim mood. The week had been packed with shooting, interviews and events to attend, we had even flown out to DC for party hosted by the President. Nothing, absolutely nothing had served to keep my mind busy enough to stop thinking about her.

"Here." My mother placed two painkillers in my hand which I took begrudgingly.

"Thanks." I whispered, my voice hoarse.

"Honey-"

"I'm fine, mom. I'm fine." I told her stiffly, shutting my eyes tightly to avoid seeing the pain written all over her face.

"Just be sure to check on your sugar levels." She cautioned in a soft voice before exiting the room. The gentleness and care she was giving me made my heart ache because I knew I didn't deserve any of it. I had been nothing but cold and distant to anybody who dared approach me and god knew they didn't deserve to be treated the way I treated them. I needed to pull my head up, I needed to get a hold on my life. I needed to be patient and trusting that everything would work itself out, that Miley would see reason.

"Mom?" I called out, hoping she wasn't yet out of earshot.

"Yeah?" I heard the soft footsteps before I saw her, her head peeking through the half opened door.

"I- I want to get a new guitar... Will you come with me?" The smile that broke out onto her face rewarded the small effort I had made and my mood seemed to brighten considerably.

"I'll get my bag." She informed me before disappearing down the hallway.

It was time to turn over a new leaf...

........................

"What kind of guitar do you want?" I looked over at my mom who was looking at a steel blue electric guitar, much like the one Miley had given me a few years earlier. I quickly averted my gaze and pointed to the acoustic section.

"Oh this is bad... acoustic always means sad, breakup songs..." My mother teased.

"Well I guess you can say I'm in that kind of mood." A small smile crossed my face as I looked at her.

"You need to fill me in." She prodded. "Because I'm pretty sure there's only one person who can make you feel this way." Her eyes narrowed and I gulped. "Am I right?"

"Yes." I breathed out, half annoyed that I was so easy to read.

"But I don't want to talk about it... not now." I added the last part after seeing her hurt expression. "I just- I need to stop thinking about that and try to be positive, okay?"

"As long as you're happy." Her arm went around my waist and she squeezed me reassuringly. I could still see the worry in her eyes and momentarily hated myself for not being honest with her... but then again, not everything was meant to be shared... And I knew for a fact that what Miley and I were going through only we knew what it felt like, nobody could even come close to imagining how we felt except the two of us.

"I like this one." My mother pointed to a guitar made out of rose wood in the corner of the shop and I instantly felt my heart beating faster. It was perfect.

"I do too." I smiled brightly, nodding approvingly as the clerk handed it over to me.

"It's yours, honey. My gift."

"Mom-"

"I insist."

"Then I get to pay for our lunch." I smirked. What a deal right? A guitar in exchange for a cheap meal? Had to love my mom's poor trading skills.

"Nicholas..."

"Mother..." I mimicked. Her laugh resonated across the shop and I smiled when I knew I had won her over. Although she had never really left my mind, I had been able to enjoy a lively conversation with my mother during our meal.

......................

"We heard you and Miley were recording a duet... wanna tell us about that?" Ryan asked me during the phone interview they had scheduled with my brothers and myself.

"It's a duet for the Friends for Change campaign and we actually finished recording it last week..."

"Any idea about a music video?"

"We're actually flying to Florida in a few weeks to shoot it."

"Well, I'm sure all those 'Niley' fans will be glad to hear this!" Ryan teased and I was somewhat grateful no one could see the faint blush creeping onto my cheeks.

"As you know I have to ask you a few questions the fans have tweeted me..." A small smile tugged at my lips as I thought of our fans enthusiasm in knowing all about our private lives.

"Go ahead!" Joe spoke up.

"Alright first one is for Kevin." I heard Kevin take in a deep breath. "Are you planning on having kids soon?" I stifled a laugh at the question as my brother stuttered out and quiet 'I'm not sure'.

"I definitely see kids in the future, but I still think that Danielle and I are young and we have time." He managed to answer.

"Joe, your fans would like to know if you're serious about Demi? They sound pretty protective over her... better watch out, if you break her heart you don't know what kind of a stampede you'll find yourself in." I laughed out loud at that.

"I- I'm actually very serious about Demi because the cool part is that we've known each other for a few years now, and most of all, we're best friends." He replied sincerely. "But I will definitely keep in mind not to break her heart, I'd like to live a little bit longer." He joked, earning a round of laughter from everybody on the line.

"And now let's ask the third Gray. Nick, what do you think of Liam?" Is he kidding me right now? Doesn't anybody know how much a person is likely to dislike, strongly dislike their ex-girlfriend's boyfriend? Especially an ex-girlfriend whom they happened to have feelings for...

"Nick?" I heard Ryan call out my name and was snapped out of my thoughts.

"I actually don't know him." I tried to keep my voice even and keep the bitterness out of it.

"Have you seen The Last Song?"

"I have actually." I smiled at the memory. "They did a great job on that one." Technically, I wasn't completely lying. Miley had been amazing in it... Liam? Don't even get me started...

"What does he think of you and Miley doing a duet together?" I gulped. I knew for a fact that it only meant trouble in Miley's relationship.

"You'd have to ask him about that." I faked a laugh.

"Are you and Miley friends again?"

"We've always been best friends." And so much more. I gulped. "And it's definitely great to be reunited again for a duet. I don't think we need to tell you how much we love singing, so singing together is always a plus." Shut it. A voice was telling me. Shut up before you say too much.

"And it's definitely a plus for us to be able to listen to the both of you together!" Ryan exclaimed before bidding us goodbye. I put the phone down moments after, letting out a deep, shallow breath. It was only then I realised I had subconsciously carved her initials on my brand new guitar. I was losing it. For real.

"Nice, man." Kevin and Joe rushed into my room. "You just totally gave them something to start a rumour out of." They chuckled.

"Shut up." I groaned as I rubbed my hands over my face. "I suck at lying."

"Yes, yes, you do." Kevin laughed. "But hey, at least Miley won't be mad at you for being so tight lipped about her anymore."

"If he doesn't hear it first..." I muttered under my breath, my thoughts drifting to the different ways Liam could react to what I had just said. The overbearing Australian's behaviour replayed in my mind. His hold on her. His need to always keep her close even if it meant holding her so tight, she couldn't breathe. His constant need to find fault with her actions like he had that day in Pinkberry. I could go on and on...

"What was that?" Joe frowned.

"Nothing."

"Nick." They both gave me a look. Who was I kidding? They were my brothers... they knew me better than everyone. Almost everyone. Because she definitely knew a different side of me that they didn't. I groaned when I realised I was, once again, thinking of her.

"I told her I loved her." Their eyes widened for a second before they started hurling questions at me.

"Stop." I groaned. "You're giving me a headache."

"Then start talking, now!" Joe ordered.

"Fine. I told her I wasn't going to watch the woman I loved be with someone with whom she wasn't even happy."

"You just walked away?" Kevin questioned, making sure he had understood correctly.

"I told her to give me a call when the Miley I knew came back." I bit my lip, observing both their expressions for a hint as to what they were thinking.

"Man, you're becoming bold." Joe chuckled.

"Well if that doesn't make her see sense, then I don't know what will." Kevin smiled.

Wait. They were happy? Weren't they supposed to scream at me? Tell me how stupid I had been to give up on her, yet again?

"I'm an idiot."

"Listen man, you've tried to help her because something was wrong... if she doesn't want your help it's her problem." Joe tried to reason. "I just hope that she'll realise how much of a tool he is before it's too late."

"He hurt her." The words tumbled out of my mouth. "Accidentally." I tried to reassure them after seeing their wide eyes. "She had a bruise on her wrist and when I saw it, I lost it. And guess what? She blames herself for it!" I laughed humourlessly.

"Demi was right." Joe sighed. "He's controlling her." They gave me sympathetic looks to which I rolled my eyes.

"Meghan and Anna Maria are hosting a party for all the Camp Rock cast... we should get going." Joe informed us.

"Yay." I pumped my fist in the air with mock enthusiasm.

"Lighten up, bro. This will do you good." Kevin encouraged me.

Precisely two hours later we were in front of a familiar club where most of Hollywood's parties were held. I ducked out of the car, hoping to dodge flashes as much as I could. I definitely did not look my best and I didn't need rumours starting on how bad I looked. I could just imagine the speculations about my health.

"Nick!" Chloe smiled widely as I stepped inside.

"Hey!" I smiled as she reached out for a hug.

"You need to replace the band. Seriously they are so bad." She complained, blocking her ears for emphasis. I laughed.

"It's my night off." I grinned.

"Then come dance."

"I don't think so." I shook my head.

"Oh that's right... I forgot you only danced with one particular blue eyed-" I didn't let her finish. I clamped a hand over her mouth and hoped she couldn't see the blush rising to my cheeks in the dim lighting of the room. "Sore spot, Nicky?" She smirked.

"Chloe..."

"Alright." She held her hands up in surrender. "I give up."

"Good." I shook my head as she walked away. It seemed like everything revolved around her... It wasn't much later when I found myself surrounded with the main cast, all exchanging jokes and anecdotes. The group was quite the mix of people and it was good to think the experience had created a bond between each one of us. I smiled at Demi as she took a seat beside me, her eyebrows raised questioningly.

"What?" I whispered.

"You never cease to impress me." She grinned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Making Miley see sense." She whispered as if obvious.

"What- I"

"Look it's no secret that I don't approve of Liam..." I nodded for her to go on. "She called me, asked me if I agreed with you. She asked me if I felt like Liam was changing her, like you did." No need to say that I was surprised.

"What did you say?"

"I backed you up... She wasn't too pleased but she didn't argue."

"Are you sure that's a good sign?"

"No... but I do think that we've given her something to think about... And I have hope that it's only a matter of time until she calls you."

"I doubt it." I sighed.

"I don't." She smiled knowingly.

My eyes widened as I pulled out my phone from my pocket and spotted the missed called written in bold letters on the small LDC screen. Could Demi be right?

"Shit." I muttered when I realised I had missed three calls from Miley.

"You okay?" Meghan asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I just gotta- I'll be right back." I muttered before leaving the stuffy room. I found a back door and exited the building. My fingers pressed over the dial key of my phone and I tapped my foot impatiently.

"Come on, Miley! Answer." I growled. It didn't even ring... her phone was switched off. I punched the wall beside me, obviously angry that I had missed her calls. My gut told me something was wrong and I immediately headed back inside, looking frantically for my brothers.

"Guys!" I called as I spotted them on the dance floor. "I'm taking the car, I'll tell Big Rob to drive it back here in time for when you guys want to leave." I explained quickly.

"What? Why are you leaving?" Kevin asked worriedly.

"Miley- I- I'll explain later." I breathed out before jogging out of the club and heading for the car.

.....................

I tapped my foot impatiently as the car pulled up in front of Miley's gate. I hopped out before it had even come to a complete stop which earned me a scolding from Big Rob. Oh well.... drastic situations call for drastic measures. I quickly punched in the numbers to the gate and jogged into the property, looking around for any sign of life. It was only then it hit me... it was deserted. Where was she? I tensed noticeably, realising that she could be anywhere and I had no way of knowing unless she picked up my calls. My mind was reeling with the worst imaginable thoughts. I-

I re-dialled her number for the countless time that night, my palms sweating profusely. My throat constricted as I heard her small, vulnerable voice that answered me.

Don't kill me :P I'm in the process of writing the next chapter so you know what to do to get me to update asap :D

I'm actually trying to finish this story before next week... which I think will be pretty much impossible but I can always try, right? I won't be able to update for a while after next week and I can't bear to keep you guys waiting... so yeah, I'm trying! Can you guys co operate and review? :P they motivate me! About 6 chapters left, I think...

Love you guys!

xoxo